Get Fitter While Saving The Mountains: 6 Tips To Green Up Your Exercise Routine

Global warming is a pressing problem in the present date. We are both the creators and the sufferers of global warming and the effects of global warming on climatic changes have already begun. As trekkers, we are one of the biggest victims of global warming because we love the mountains and their raw and natural beauty, which is jeopardized by the constant climatic changes. I feel terrible knowing that what we get to experience today is only a smaller part as compared to what it was 10 years back. And I am exceedingly terrified to imagine losing all of this. I am sure, you too can’t imagine life without the mountains. Therefore, we all should not let ourselves suffer anymore. Even a small effort on our part to reduce the carbon print and conservation of natural resources can impact the environment. So why not do our part?

The prominent reason for climatic changes is the anthropogenic activities in the cities. Being a trekker does not only mean protecting the mountains while on the treks but the process of preserving our mountains can start right at our homes. A few changes in your day-to-day activities can guarantee stupendous views on Himalayan treks. By creating an eco-friendly lifestyle, you can restore and protect the environment for future generations to admire. Some of these habits can also help improve your fitness for your next Himalayan trek as well.  From running to cycling, a healthy diet will keep you healthy while also reducing carbon emissions and plastic use. All the processes of healing our Earth are actually beneficial for us. By doing this you also get to : Save money   Save nature    Build muscles    Stay happy

Here are some tips to become more fit by adopting a sustainable lifestyle 

Save Petrol, Start Walking

You can ditch your car every now and then in favor of walking, running, or cycling. This will conserve natural resources, reduce carbon emissions and at the same time increase your fitness. If you are planning for a trek, you can walk to your office every alternate day instead of taking your vehicle. Walk for small distances every day. Try to take a route that has an incline, this will further increase your endurance. There are so many benefits to this, you are saving nature, you are getting fit and at the same time you do not have to find a separate time for working out, you’re working out as you are going to your office!

Take The Stairs, Conserve Electricity

There are so many ways that we can conserve electricity and in ways that are beneficial to our health.

– Avoid lifts, escalators, and take stairs: Climbing a staircase gives you the same workout as hiking uphill. This helps you build leg strength. Take the stairs whenever you can, be it your office, home, or the mall. If you have 5-10 minutes extra, go up and down the staircase 3-4 times.

– Turn off the unnecessary lights: The lights from bulbs, tube lights, etc affect our eyes, especially when we work long hours under them. Therefore, complete as much work as you can do in daylight to cut down artificial lights. Exactly like how you would do in the mountains!

– Cut down phone time: 

The less you use the mobile, the less you would charge it and the more energy you would save. Also, this reduces strain on the eyes and neck. When you stop using mobile phones during bedtime, you will sleep early and rise early as you would do in the mountains!

– Stop using electronic devices for household chores: Do it yourself. The routines of washing clothes, sweeping, cleaning dust, etc. are actually strength exercises. The more manual work you do, the more you are strengthening your body. On weekends try to wash more clothes. This will definitely build your biceps!

– Prepare For Mountain Survival, Conserve Water: No explanation is required for this. If you can survive a 4-5 days trek with minimum water, you can definitely survive at your home. Imagine your every day as it would be in the mountains and limit your water usage just like you would in the mountains.

Ditch Plastic By Planning Your Nutrition: 

By watching your nutrition, you can actually cut down on plastic waste.  Do not eat things wrapped in plastic-like. chocolates, chips, packaged food. This way, it stops you from eating unhealthy food, keeps you healthy, and at the same time reduces the amount of plastic waste generated. While exercising is important so is eating the right food. Make a thumb rule, if it comes in plastic, you do not consume it.

Another way to reduce plastic waste is to reuse plastic products. Reuse old plastic bottles to fill in nonedible items. Make some decor from plastic waste.  Instead of throwing away plastic bags, save them for that rainy day on a Himalayan trek!

Reduce Waste By Saving Paper: Cut down on paper. With all the E-things coming we are already using less paper, yet, if possible avoid using paper. With the plastic ban, most of our items are packed in paper bags. Carry cloth bags or tiffin to save paper/cardboard used for packing.

Less Shopping, Dress In Durable & Sustainable Wear: This goes without saying, the less you shop, the more you will save. Try reusing or redesigning your old clothes. The amount of destruction caused in the production, regeneration, and disposal of clothes is very harmful to nature. Just like your hiking clothes, choose durable, long-lasting daily attire. As a byproduct, you save money, plastic, paper, cardboard (packaging of products), fuel (transport to the shops), and get to use your favorite fabric again!

Check your garbage: Your garbage says it all! If it has plastic, paper, box packaging, that means you are still eating junk food and shopping. If it has leftover food, that means you are not eating enough and also using the refrigerator a lot. Prepare only the required amount of food, avoid preserving it in the refrigerator as much as possible.

If your garbage has fresh vegetable or fruit skin, that means you are eating healthy and you are fit. Check your garbage every day, every week, every month. Review and rate yourself on this basis.

In fact, check your daily activities every day, every week, every month. Review and rate yourself, whether you are really

Saving money, Saving nature, Building muscles, and Staying happy!

Are you already doing these? Tell us how you stay fit while conserving the environment.